"One way a band select from forage drives
A herd of beeves, faire oxen and faire kine
From a fat meddow ground."-MILTON.

542. Why do oxen use a peculiar licking motion with the tongue, when gathering herbage?

Because their upper lip is not prehensible, like that of the horse. They therefore use the tongue to gather in the grass, which is afterwards divided by biting.

543. Why is it customary to hang bells around the necks of cattle in Switzerland?

Because, as they are allowed to roam among the acclivities and windings of the mountains, the sound of the bells tends to keep. them together, and also to inform the vachers, or herdsmen, of their whereabouts. The bells vary in form and size, from a small tinkling instrument to a large deep-toned bell, worn by the leader of a herd.

544. So accustomed and attached do the animals become to these bells, that the deprivation of them is felt as a punishment. The cow, whose superior beauty, sagacity, and good conduct, fit her to be the leader of the herd, is always on gala-days distinguished by the largest and finest-toned bell, and the bravest ornamental collar, and so down, through all the gradations of good, to the small appendage that marks the indifferently good or clever animal, and the total absence of ornament and distinction which points out the self-willed or vicious. If any cow has been guilty of straying, of unseemly behaviour, breach of discipline, or any vicious trick, the displeasure of the vacher is not testified by blows, but by the temporary deprivation of her bell; and this seldom fails to reduce her to order and prevent a repetition of the offence. It is only necessary to see the cow on a galaday, with her badge of distinction strapped round her neck, and then to see her deprived of it, for some fault or other, to be convinced that this is true. She is now gay, good-humoured, and frolicsome, and then, sulky and gloomy.

A certain cow, that had long worn the bell of honour round her neck, had but recently given birth to a calf, and was considered too weak to bear the weight of the large bell, or, indeed, of either one. Her master turned her out to go with the herd to the upland pastures. This summer removal of quarters is always held as a holiday. The peasants were dressed in their best clothes, the cows had on their bells, and all went on gaily, except the poor matron who was deprived of hers. After proceeding a few paces, she began to show signs of great uneasiness; this increased. It was vainly attempted to coax her forward, and soon she lay down on her side, and would not move. In this dilemma one of the old vachers came up, and seeing how the case stood, coolly went to the house, and brought out the bell and collar, which the animal no sooner felt about her neck than she rose, shook

"As from fresh pastures and the dewy field

(When loaded cribs their evening banquet yield)

The lowing herds return: around them throng,

With leaps and bounds, their late imprisoned young."-POPE.

herself, and raising and throwing her tail over her haunches, in token of complete satisfaction, went off prancing, kicking, and curvetting, with every appearance of health and gaiety; and, taking her place in the van, was from that moment as well as ever.*

545. Why has the ox (the most valuable of quadrupeds to man) been so easily and universally domesticated?

Because of its gregarious nature, which leads it readily to associate with any other animal that evinces no disposition to offer it direct injury.

546. Why has the ox, in common with other ruminating animals, a divided hoof?

Because feet thus furnished take a firmer hold upon soft, yielding, or irregularly disposed ground, supporting the body better, and being less liable to injury than any other kind. Feet thus formed also do less injury to vegetation than would result from flat solid hoofs.

547. Why has the cow, which usually produces but one calf, four or more teats ?

Because the calf, being born with teeth, and requiring a large quantity of nourishment, the excess in the number of teats enables the cow, by altering her position, to change the teat used by her young one, and thus to prevent its becoming sore by continual sucking.

548. It is a well-known fact that human mothers change the side upon which children suck, for a similar reason. When a child is very hungry and tenacious of the breast, soreness is prevented by thus acting; and the appearance of teeth in the gums of her offspring is the usual indication that the time proper for weaning is at hand.

In dairy economy, there is great advantage in the number of teats, because one cow may be made to suckle two calves; the second cow being kept for milch.

In the domesticated state, udders and teats are very liable to become disordered. As the udder consists of four distinct glands, each having a teat, the inflammation arising from one may not be communicated to the other, which can be milked or sucked, and the mammary system relieved.

Latrobe's "Alpenstock or, Sketches of Swiss Scenery and Manners."

"Th' ignoble never lived; they walk awhile
Like swine, or other cattle here on earth!
Their names are not recorded on the file
Of life, that fall so."-B. JOHNSON.

For the purposes of the calf, the division of the udder into four glands, each having a teat, the advantage is, that the calf can always be supplied. One gland forming milk, while another is being exhausted.

549. Why do wild cattle, when flying from the hunter, keep to the sides of fields and copses?

Because they are then sheltered on one side from attack, and can the more readily take to the cover when they are sufficiently a-head of their pursuers, or when a good "run" offers an opening.

550. Why do wild cattle, when meditating an attack upon an enemy--especially man-make their approaches in gradually diminishing circles?

Because, in all probability the animal intends, previously to attacking its foe, to intimidate it by a show of its own power and means of injury; calculating that the obnoxious object will, under the influence of fear, turn and present its most vulnerable side, or retreat altogether, without the necessity of an actual combat.

551. Many animals before making a dart at an enemy paw the ground, foam at the mouth, lash themselves with their tail, and otherwise excite themselves to a seeming anger. All these acts are doubtless intended to have the same effect as the circuitous approaches, to appal the enemy.

552. Why is the hair of tame and domesticated cattle softer and smoother than that of the wild varieties?

On account of the protection afforded by the farmer and grazier against the severity of the seasons, as also from the more regular and choice supply of food which domesticated animals receive.

553. There is a marked difference between the texture of the hair of the highland cattle and those bred in the lowlands of Scotland; and even the same breed under different circumstances differs in this respect. On their native pastures, where they are not housed, they are extremely rough, shaggy, and wild-looking; but when driven to the lowlands, they become more polished, and, on a richer pasture in a warmer climate, and with shelter at night, show a rich and glossy covering.*

Naturalists' Library.

"If milk be thy design: with plenteous hand
Bring clover grass; and from the marshy land
Salt herbage for the foddering rack provide,

To fill their bags, and swell the milky tide."-DRYDEN.

554. Why are horns of tame cattle generally shorter than those of wild?

Because these appendages, being obviously intended for weapons of offence and defence, their development naturally followed the ratio of their necessity, and decreased in proportion to their domestication.

555. It would seem that while domestication softens the manners of animals, it also smooths the asperities of their forms. All animals, when under the influence of strong and angry passion, become much more rugged than when they are pleased, The hair stands up, the muscles swell into ridges, the skin is puckered, and the animal puts on an aspect as forbidding as possible.*

556. Why do wild cattle feed in flocks, while the tame varieties scatter and browse separately?

Because the former experience a sense of insecurity and dread of attack; they act instinctively upon the maxim that union is strength, and thus guard against surprise. The domesticated ox has no such dread, and follows its individual caprice, or sense of enjoyment.

557. Why has the giraffe such a long slender neck?

Because it browses upon the branches of tall trees, for which purpose its long neck is admirably adapted.

558. Why has the giraffe a head so small in proportion to its size?

Because a larger head at the extremity of the lever formed by the long neck would possess a weight disproportioned to the muscular power of the animal, and be a serious encumbrance.

Partington's "Cyclopædia."

"Whose height the rising forest overlooks;

And on tree-tops the eye-sight downward casts;
Where distant rivers seem bestrided brooks."-DAVENANT.

559. Why is the giraffe endowed with a long prehensible tongue?

560. A giraffe more than two-thirds grown will eat daily in confinement eighteen pounds of clover, hay, and eighteen pounds of a mixed vegetable diet, consisting of carrots, mangold-wurzel, barley, split beans, and onions; and will drink four gallons of water.

561. Why is the head of the giraffe surmounted by short erect horns?

These horns are occasionally used as weapons of defence. We have seen them wielded by the males against each other with fearful and reckless force; and they are much dreaded by the keeper of the present living giraffes in the Zoological Gardens, because they are sometimes very suddenly put

into use.

The giraffe does not butt by depressing and suddenly elevating the head, like the deer, ox, or sheep, but strikes the callous obtuse extremity of the horns against the object of his attack with a sidelong sweep of the neck. The female in the gardens of the